City of Duncan turned down chance to expand with amalgamation
Re: City of Duncan eyes expansion
We as a region chatted each other up on our first date, and decided we’d like to go out again.
We did the do you want to amalgamate, a pre nothing is written in stone, no marriage. To proceed to, do you want to get married — amalgamate? I was born and raised in Duncan, spent my first 31 years in the city, to move a block away and spend 32 years in North Cowichan. For the first time in my life, I felt unwelcomed in what I thought was my home. There was a resounding no movement on behalf of the city, which brought up dead founding fathers, and dead past mayors and stories and quotes, of how horrible it was/would be to join. All the old stories of why we are separate from beginning to now. That the non business core would override or run roughshod over the merchants, the city would be swallowed up and spit out.
So we’ve had the vote, we clearly got the message, that the marriage is not happening. If I’m not mistaken, the City of Duncan only elected councillors and mayor within their one square mile. So this was huge to them. I would be appalled if North Cowichan entertained any thought to the idea of giving up any land to the City of Duncan. You want your distinct vibe, you’ve got it, but within your own boundaries please! Your next option is to decide if you are raising your height restrictions, or start digging down — as you only have two options. Thankfully, I have plenty of options within North Cowichan, as they have as much to offer, if not more.
Karen A. Chaster
North Cowichan